Linux Systems Could be Hackers’ Valuable Targets

According to a recent warning from Sophos, Linux servers are potentially vulnerable to virus infections, as reported by technewsworld on March 25, 2008.

Although the Linux operating system isn't free from virus infections, yet viruses specific to the software are very rare. Servers with Linux OS are more fraught with threats from virus attacks than desktops with the same software.

Paul Piccard, Director of threat research on Linux viruses and phishing scams at Webroot, told to LinuxInsider that there are always some viruses to affect the Linux platform. But, now there isn't anything new to make an influence, as reported by technewsworld on March 25, 2008.

After SophosLabs discovered the Linux.RST.B, a threat as old as six years, which continues to infect servers and other computers, researchers at Sophos are warning users of Linux to ensure full security on their systems.

The Linux.RST.B virus corrupts the working bin/directory and its Executable and Linkable Format (ELF) executable files. The malware can even frame a backdoor with the help of an opened socket and by looking for a package containing the attacker's instructions to be carried out.

According to experts at SophosLabs, hackers find Linux servers extremely valuable. As typical of their nature, mostly servers are always turned on but they often lack sufficient anti- malware measures.

Billy McCourt, Research Director at SophosLabs UK, said that Linux systems are attractive targets for bot herders, as these normally remain online all the time, as reported by computerworld in February 2008.

Further, hackers know ways to gain control over systems via vulnerabilities or weak passwords. Once they are in, the next step is to install IRC (Internet Relay Chat)-based malware and take help of IRC channels to command and control the bot-infected PCs.

According to Sophos, a malware analysis has shown that nearly 70% of all infections are because of long lasting malicious programs.

Theriault said that there are around 350,000 pieces of malicious codes in existence. Of these only a tiny number targets Linux and it still appears that hackers are exploiting this artificial feeling of security, as reported by computerworld in February end 2008.